Publish: 13:20, 16 Jan, 2025 Updated: 23:01, 16 Jan, 2025

Human Rights Commission to hold police accountable

Sakhawat Kawsar
Human Rights Commission to hold police accountable
Photo - Collected

The Police Reform Commission proposed that the Human Rights Commission will ensure police accountability and will expand its scoop in need.

A total of 15 recommendations have been made in the report including reducing usages of lethal weapons and implementing a five-step approach to mob control.

The commission emphasizes on working hours, medical core formation, raising the numnber of female members in the force to 29,248.

The 9-member commission, led by Safar Raj Hossain, on Wednesday submitted its final report to the Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus at his office in Tejgaon. The report comprises of 130-page report and 150-page annex.

It is learned that a total of 24,442 respondents took part in the survey titled “Kind of Police You Want”.

In the survey, 89.5% respondents demanded an end to the political use of police and ensuring holding police accountable. 74.9% respondents were in favor of holding the criminal police accountable and punishing them, considering the extreme violation of humanity in cases of disappearance and extrajudicial killings. 95% wanted reform of the culture of false or missing cases.

However, many high rank officials expressed their anger as many “proposals” from police headquarters were not included in the final report.

These officials, on condition of anonymity, said that we did not have many expectations. The two-tier appointment was very important. The reform commission overlooked it.

Former additional secretary Mohammad Iqbal, a member of the commission, said that they have submitted the report.  “The political government will decide whether to form a commission or not. We have given special attention to ensuring accountability and human rights. I do not want to say anything more than that,” he added.

The report states that no accused [didn’t mentioned in FIR] can be arrested without a court order. There must be a separate interrogation room with a transparent glass wall in every police station for interrogation.

Prisons and vehicles for arrestee must be clean, and women accused must be interrogated in the presence of woman officers.  

These issues have been described in detail on pages 37, 41 and 63 to 65 of the final report.

The commission strongly recommended that the Human Rights Commission be given the power to take all direct steps to investigate allegations of human rights violations by members of law enforcement agencies. If any allegations of human rights violations are raised by or at the instigation of law enforcement agencies, the head of the concerned agency should himself be able to order an investigation.

For this, a human rights cell should also be set up in the head office of the concerned law enforcement agency. The report proposes the formation of a “Police Commission” for an influence-free and accountable police force.

It is advisable that the proposed Police Commission is a statutory body under the law or an institution under the constitutional framework based on expert opinion on the relevant issues. Because the formation of the Police Commission, its scope of work, constitutional or legal obligations, various issues included in the law will need to be analyzed and properly examined.

In the case of police verification, there will be no need to verify the political ideology of the job seeker. For this, all police verifications will have to be completed within a maximum of one month. If additional time is required, the time can be extended up to a maximum of 15 (fifteen) days.

To increase the number of women police, posts will have to be created in the current organogram. It has been recommended to increase it from the current 16,801 to at least 29,248.

Training will be considered a major determinant in the promotion of the police. For this, the authorities will take initiatives for timely training. The concept of posting as “dumping” in police training academies and centers will have to be changed. Talented and skilled officers should be posted there.

Police members should be subjected to regular dope tests and psychological tests.

Working hours should be specified to reduce excessive workload. They should be given incentives if they work more than 8 hours.

It is known that 17 reforms were taken for the police. This time, 18th reforms are being taken. The recommendations of the commission led by Justice Aminur Rahman Khan in 1988 were highly praised.

Crime experts say that the report was very timely and realistic. However, none of them have been implemented. The recommendations to stop corruption in the police were described in detail by identifying specific areas. The submitted report has given special importance to community policing.

It will act as a mirror for checks and balances between the police and the public. In addition, it has been asked to form a citizen security committee to review and improve the law and order situation in every police station. It has been asked to include the subject of policing in the constructive curriculum in educational institutions to create citizen awareness.

Those injured in July and August have been asked to be employed in the police department, considering their capabilities and qualifications. Agencies engaged in combating drug-related crimes have been asked to create an integrated software or database. It has been recommended to set up digital forensic laboratories and automated DNA labs in all divisional cities. It has been asked to form a crime scene or ballistics branch in each division.

It is learned that in a survey by the Reform Commission, 71.5% (approximately) respondents wanted the police personnel concerned to be punished for violating human rights by using excessive force to deal with protests and suppress opposition parties. 68.8% respondents voted in favor of enacting regulations to follow the replaced Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) incorporating international human rights guidelines. In the survey, 58.9% respondents voted in favor of a regulatory body or commission to keep the police accountable and free from various influences.

Translated by Afsar Munna

More News
Investigation underway into 2 former BB governors, 53 officials
Investigation underway into 2 former BB governors, 53 officials
Distribution of projects worth 1,300 crore taka
Distribution of projects worth 1,300 crore taka
Tk 1,500cr hospital lies idle, unused
Tk 1,500cr hospital lies idle, unused
Dr. Yunus’s new dream, new party and politics of Jamaat
Dr. Yunus’s new dream, new party and politics of Jamaat
'Zia Tree' flourishing in the heart of desert
'Zia Tree' flourishing in the heart of desert
Attempts made to increase drug prices
Attempts made to increase drug prices
New default loan policy to jeopardise businesses
New default loan policy to jeopardise businesses
A grand scheme of billions in loot!
A grand scheme of billions in loot!
Millions of investors trapped in margin loans
Millions of investors trapped in margin loans
Delinquents are in public now
Delinquents are in public now
What lies behind the mask of Prothom Alo, Daily Star?
What lies behind the mask of Prothom Alo, Daily Star?
Rohingyas travel to Saudi with Bangladeshi passport
Rohingyas travel to Saudi with Bangladeshi passport
Latest News
Israel to release 602 prisoners in Gaza swap Saturday: Palestinian NGO
Israel to release 602 prisoners in Gaza swap Saturday: Palestinian NGO
2 hours ago | International
Fire breaks out at sawmill in Khilgaon
Fire breaks out at sawmill in Khilgaon
2 hours ago | City
Babar returns home performing Umrah
Babar returns home performing Umrah
3 hours ago | National
Champions Trophy: Rickelton, Markram power proteas to 315 against Afghans
Champions Trophy: Rickelton, Markram power proteas to 315 against Afghans
3 hours ago | Sports
It’s not that you will forget Bengali just by learning English: CA
It’s not that you will forget Bengali just by learning English: CA
4 hours ago | National
Independence won thru student-mass people's blood must be retained: Annie
Independence won thru student-mass people's blood must be retained: Annie
4 hours ago | National
Bangladesh embassy in Tokyo observes IML Day
Bangladesh embassy in Tokyo observes IML Day
6 hours ago | National
Faruque warns of conspiracy if election is delayed
Faruque warns of conspiracy if election is delayed
6 hours ago | National
Govt emphasizes preserving endangered languages ​​and ensuring diversity: Foreign Secretary
Govt emphasizes preserving endangered languages ​​and ensuring diversity: Foreign Secretary
6 hours ago | National
Saudi Ambassador extends greetings in Bengali on Feb 21
Saudi Ambassador extends greetings in Bengali on Feb 21
7 hours ago | National
Discussion on mother tongue held in Bandarban
Discussion on mother tongue held in Bandarban
7 hours ago | Shuvosangho
No pain, no gain? Hardly. This year’s fitness buzzword is ‘recovery’
No pain, no gain? Hardly. This year’s fitness buzzword is ‘recovery’
7 hours ago | Lifestyle
Poland introduces mandatory firearms training for children
Poland introduces mandatory firearms training for children
7 hours ago | International
Only election can restore true democracy: Rizvi
Only election can restore true democracy: Rizvi
8 hours ago | National
25 foreign nationals pay tribute to language martyrs
25 foreign nationals pay tribute to language martyrs
8 hours ago | National
South Africa wins the toss, decides to bat against Afghanistan
South Africa wins the toss, decides to bat against Afghanistan
8 hours ago | Sports
Hamas gave body of 'Gazan woman' not hostage Shiri Bibas: Netanyahu
Hamas gave body of 'Gazan woman' not hostage Shiri Bibas: Netanyahu
9 hours ago | International
ADB, World Bank partner on FMRF to increase development impact
ADB, World Bank partner on FMRF to increase development impact
9 hours ago | Business
Imported fruit prices surge by up to Tk100 per Kg ahead of Ramadan
Imported fruit prices surge by up to Tk100 per Kg ahead of Ramadan
9 hours ago | Business
Climate change is shrinking glaciers faster than ever
Climate change is shrinking glaciers faster than ever
9 hours ago | International
CIA plans largest mass firing in nearly 50 years: New York Times
CIA plans largest mass firing in nearly 50 years: New York Times
9 hours ago | International
Gill’s ton guides India to a comfortable win over Bangladesh
Gill’s ton guides India to a comfortable win over Bangladesh
9 hours ago | Sports
Alibaba sees revenue surge on back of artificial intelligence, e-commerce
Alibaba sees revenue surge on back of artificial intelligence, e-commerce
10 hours ago | Business
Netanyahu orders 'intensive' West Bank operations after Israel bus blasts
Netanyahu orders 'intensive' West Bank operations after Israel bus blasts
10 hours ago | International
BGB DG pays tribute to language martyrs
BGB DG pays tribute to language martyrs
12 hours ago | National
IGP pays tribute to language heroes
IGP pays tribute to language heroes
12 hours ago | National
Investigation underway into 2 former BB governors, 53 officials
Investigation underway into 2 former BB governors, 53 officials
12 hours ago | Special
SMEs struggle due to high interest rates, tough loans
SMEs struggle due to high interest rates, tough loans
12 hours ago | Business
Trump seeks to reshape Asia's energy supplies with US gas
Trump seeks to reshape Asia's energy supplies with US gas
12 hours ago | International
Chief adviser pays tribute to language martyrs
Chief adviser pays tribute to language martyrs
13 hours ago | National
Most Read
SMEs struggle due to high interest rates, tough loans
SMEs struggle due to high interest rates, tough loans
12 hours ago | Business
Investigation underway into 2 former BB governors, 53 officials
Investigation underway into 2 former BB governors, 53 officials
12 hours ago | Special
IGP pays tribute to language heroes
IGP pays tribute to language heroes
12 hours ago | National
Not enough steps to prevent loss of ethnic languages
Not enough steps to prevent loss of ethnic languages
15 hours ago | National
Chief adviser pays tribute to language martyrs
Chief adviser pays tribute to language martyrs
13 hours ago | National
Imported fruit prices surge by up to Tk100 per Kg ahead of Ramadan
Imported fruit prices surge by up to Tk100 per Kg ahead of Ramadan
9 hours ago | Business
25 foreign nationals pay tribute to language martyrs
25 foreign nationals pay tribute to language martyrs
8 hours ago | National
Alibaba sees revenue surge on back of artificial intelligence, e-commerce
Alibaba sees revenue surge on back of artificial intelligence, e-commerce
10 hours ago | Business
Dhaka faces another day of 'very unhealthy' air
Dhaka faces another day of 'very unhealthy' air
15 hours ago | City
Partly cloudy skies expected over Dhaka
Partly cloudy skies expected over Dhaka
14 hours ago | City
Trump seeks to reshape Asia's energy supplies with US gas
Trump seeks to reshape Asia's energy supplies with US gas
12 hours ago | International
People can spread bird flu to their cats, US study suggests
People can spread bird flu to their cats, US study suggests
14 hours ago | Lifestyle
BGB DG pays tribute to language martyrs
BGB DG pays tribute to language martyrs
12 hours ago | National
Body returned from Gaza is not Shiri Bibas, Israeli military says
Body returned from Gaza is not Shiri Bibas, Israeli military says
15 hours ago | International
US imposes sanctions on drivers of violence in Congo
US imposes sanctions on drivers of violence in Congo
15 hours ago | International
Faruque warns of conspiracy if election is delayed
Faruque warns of conspiracy if election is delayed
6 hours ago | National
DMP assures full cooperation in providing security for BAJUS members
DMP assures full cooperation in providing security for BAJUS members
15 hours ago | Business
Govt initiates action against ex-DCs
Govt initiates action against ex-DCs
14 hours ago | National
US designates major cartels, transnational organizations as terrorist groups
US designates major cartels, transnational organizations as terrorist groups
14 hours ago | International
Gill’s ton guides India to a comfortable win over Bangladesh
Gill’s ton guides India to a comfortable win over Bangladesh
10 hours ago | Sports
CIA plans largest mass firing in nearly 50 years: New York Times
CIA plans largest mass firing in nearly 50 years: New York Times
9 hours ago | International
Only election can restore true democracy: Rizvi
Only election can restore true democracy: Rizvi
8 hours ago | National
Netanyahu orders 'intensive' West Bank operations after Israel bus blasts
Netanyahu orders 'intensive' West Bank operations after Israel bus blasts
10 hours ago | International
Govt emphasizes preserving endangered languages ​​and ensuring diversity: Foreign Secretary
Govt emphasizes preserving endangered languages ​​and ensuring diversity: Foreign Secretary
6 hours ago | National
It’s not that you will forget Bengali just by learning English: CA
It’s not that you will forget Bengali just by learning English: CA
4 hours ago | National
Turkiye FM Fidan, Chinese counterpart discuss global security concerns
Turkiye FM Fidan, Chinese counterpart discuss global security concerns
14 hours ago | International
No pain, no gain? Hardly. This year’s fitness buzzword is ‘recovery’
No pain, no gain? Hardly. This year’s fitness buzzword is ‘recovery’
7 hours ago | Lifestyle
Hamas gave body of 'Gazan woman' not hostage Shiri Bibas: Netanyahu
Hamas gave body of 'Gazan woman' not hostage Shiri Bibas: Netanyahu
9 hours ago | International
South Africa wins the toss, decides to bat against Afghanistan
South Africa wins the toss, decides to bat against Afghanistan
9 hours ago | Sports
Saudi Ambassador extends greetings in Bengali on Feb 21
Saudi Ambassador extends greetings in Bengali on Feb 21
7 hours ago | National